Players report for preseason, first practice next Wednesday

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Saturday, January 25, 2014) – The Rapids players have reported back to Colorado for preseason, and the team will have its first on-field practice next Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. MT on the turf fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The players will undergo medical and physical testing over the weekend and on Monday and Tuesday before hitting the field for the first time on Wednesday.

“We’re excited to get 2014 started, and eager to see our group out on the field together,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “We have a great mix of young players and veterans, and we’re all looking forward to getting started.”

Nearly all of the Rapids players on the current roster have already returned to Colorado, with many undergoing routine medical examinations today before doing more intensive physical testing on Monday and Tuesday. More information on these sessions, including photos and videos, will be available at www.ColoradoRapids.com, www.twitter.com/ColoradoRapids, and www.facebook.com/ColoradoRapids.

The first full practice session of 2014 will be on Field 10 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 11 a.m. next Wednesday, with another session the same time on Thursday. Leading the practices will be Pablo Mastroeni, who is currently in charge of all first team activities, and they will be open to press and fans with media access following the session. The team will then depart for Houston on Friday morning and play its first preseason friendly on Feb. 2 against the Houston Dynamo.

Colorado will face several MLS opponents during the preseason, participating in the Las Vegas ProSoccer Challenge and the Desert Diamond Cup presented by Tucson FC as part of the preparations for the 2014 regular season. To purchase season tickets for the Rapids’ 2014 campaign, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.